Púca – Ancient Music Ireland: Trumpets in Legend

Ancient Music Ireland: A distinctive experience - magically ancient!  Bringing music archaeology to life!

This delightful exhibition and upbeat performance/presentation by Simon and Maria O’Dwyer of Ancient Music Ireland begins by bringing the audience on a journey through the ages, starting with the earliest habitation of Ireland and progresses through the Irish Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and ends in Early Medieval times. It is a celebration of the great Irish instruments of the first millennium BC. Each period is highlighted through the progression and development of musical instruments, (of which Ireland is very rich) the playing of instruments and stories from legend. Simon is an outstanding storyteller and musician and has the audience on the journey with him every step of the way. It is the perfect balance between musical accuracy and visual perfection.

Instruments include reproduction pairs of Bronze Age horns and trumpets from Northern, Western, Central and Southern Ireland – circa 1,000 – 600 BC. Two pairs of Iron Age parade/ceremonial trumpets like those which would be contemporary with the Hill of Ward, Tara and Uisneach will be played and discussed. The Iron Age Ard Brin trumpet reproduction from Co. Down will also be played. Two Psalter horns – accurate reproductions of the River Erne – Early Medieval horn which are depicted in the 8th Century Vespasian Psalter.